Luke 1:26-38

John 1:6-28

Mark 1:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Matthew 25:31-46

Brenda preaches from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. In his letter to the church at Thessaloniki -- which is the earliest Christian writing in the New Testament, even earlier than the gospels -- Paul reassures his disciples that they have what they need to survive anxious times. They have their faith in Christ and the mutual  support of their community. We, too, have these things, and like a spiritual emergency kit, they help us to weather the anxious times of our own day.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

In his final sermon as our Senior Minister, Russ leaves us with his blessings and gratitude.

Luke 24:50-51a

Our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Mary Donovan Turner, invites us to consider significance of our baptism and what it means to be a part of the 'great cloud of witnesses' of which we are a part.

Hebrews 12:1-2, Mark 1:9-11

We are called, as people of faith, to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.  Some of that is money.  But it is also that is that which is harder to measure: love, grace, compassion, gratitude.  May we be generous with all these incredible gifts.  May we remember that we are agents of grace, on a journey that makes known the generosity of God through our own practice of the same.

Luke 6:37-38

On your final day, when you look in the rearview mirror of your life, will you see a life that brings a deep satisfaction?  Or will you see a string of cluttered days filled with things that didn’t really matter in the end? 

Luke 12:13-21

This is first in a series on stewardship, looking at the Journey to Generosity.  In this sermon, Russ invites us to consider the difference between what Miroslav Volf differentiates the richness of having and the richness of being.  One is outward, the other is inner.  Sadly, we are too easily distracted by the external things.  But James reminds us there are trials and more along the way, but the great test in life is centered on finding the path to the richness of being.

James 1:2-4

God’s way of working in the world to alleviate suffering, injustice, and pain, is not to intervene miraculously, suspending the laws of nature, sending angels to make things right.  No, God works through people.  God hears, sees, and knows the suffering of others… and expects us to do the same.  And God’s response is to call US to step up as instruments of God’s help. 

Exodus 2: 23-25, 3: 1-15, 4: 10-17

Looking at the story of Jacob we are reminded that grace alters the future. It invites us to not be held prisoner by our past.  It says those mistakes and bad choices that we’ve made: those are lessons, not life sentences.

Genesis 28:10-17

Could it be that God doesn’t take us away from life’s horrific experiences, but promises us that through them all we will never be alone?  What we discover in the midst of our suffering is that God is there, not as the cause of the suffering, but suffering with us, standing alongside.

Genesis 21:1-2 22:1-14

In the final sermon of the series of women in the Bible, Russ looks at Mary of Magdala.  A lot of stories are told about Mary of Magdala, but ultimately she gets to tell her own story – the truth about who she really is and what she stands for.  Ultimately that is our privilege and responsibility as well.  

Luke 8:1-3

Even though at in one letter Paul says that women should remain silent in church, in other places he lifts up and recognizes several women who serve the church in wonderful ways.  As far as we know, these church ladies did no heroic deeds or had miraculous experiences.  They just served God the way they knew how.  Like them, most of us live pretty ordinary lives, but yet, through us, God can do extraordinary things.  

Romans 16:1-6,15-16

Talking about another fierce woman of the bible, Russ looks at the Canaanite woman who, out of desperation, begs Jesus to heal her daughter who is tormented by a demon.  When rebuffed (and insulted) this woman from the wrong side of the tracks points out to Jesus that the wideness of God's mercy is bigger than even he can understand, and that God offers more than crumbs, but a place at the table.

Matthew 15:21-28

Our guest preacher, Rev. Sara Steenhouse, looked at the story of Ruth who resolved to stay with her mother-in-law Naomi, and they found a way, when it seemed no way was to be found.  Through Ruth's story we are invited to consider who we are responsible for, noticing that regular, everyday people can find courage to lift one another up, finding a way forward, even when it seems no way is to be found.

Ruth 1:1-22

The story of Rahab is an important piece in the history of Israel taking over the city of Jericho as they moved into the Promised Land.  The part of the story that we tend to focus  on, however, is the idea that she was a prostitute and how beautiful she was.  Most interesting thing about Rahab has nothing to do with looks or profession.  

All too often our culture views women as objects of our affection rather than complex people with feelings, wants, and needs of their own.  

What we see about Rahab is that her life is not easily defined.  She was complex. She was not just a prostitute.  She was not just a hero. She was not just a body.  She was smart, cunning, and faithful.  Her story is part of an epic narrative about how to be human to one another.

Note: at one point in the sermon, portions of a video clip is shown.  The video, in its entirety, can be viewed here.  

Joshua 2:1-15

In this first sermon in the series, Russ looks at the story of Eve and how she grew through her curiosity and heartbreak.  In so doing, she teaches us that it is ok to want to know more, be more, and to keep finding ways to push the envelope.

Genesis 2:4-7,15-23; 3:1-13

Micah 6:8

Rev. Hope and Scott Attenhofer recently rode their bicycles across the United States to raise funds and awareness for Week of Compassion.  In this message they tell about their experiences and learnings.

Philipppians 4:13

On this Fathers' Day, Rev. Arne Larson, preaches to us about the importance of ministering to men and helping them become men of deep faith.

Psalm 78:1-8

Like the churches in Galatia, there seem to be a great deal of division among us in the world today.  But, ultimately, we belong to one another; depend and count on one another.  If we are going to see this through, we need to do so together.  In many ways, that's what Paul was telling the Galatians:  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3:1-9,23-29

In this Pentecost sermon, Russ points out that on that day, each heard the Good News in their own language.  There was not one way that the message was received.  The message was clear: ALL people are loved by God.  And if the church is to be vital and thrive: we need to reclaim that Spirit of reaching out to all!  

Acts 2:1-12